So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet
These are the last few verse of 2 Samuel 9. Here we are reminded that Mephibosheth ate at the King’s table as one of the King’s sons. What a blessing Jonathan secured for him, and what amazing grace David expressed toward him. The chapter ends though with this strange statement, “Now he was lame in both feet.” Why did the Holy Spirit have to throw that in there? I think it was to remind us of something, and that is that the flesh doesn’t get any better. If left alone to provide for himself, it would be obvious to everyone that he was still broken and crippled. This is true about all of us; as long as we are walking in the Spirit, The life of Christ is manifested through our mortal flesh, and in our weaknesses His strength is being made perfect, but as soon as we launch out on our own and try to do whatever in our own strength it will be clear to us and everyone else that our flesh hasn’t improved at all. The Lord doesn’t come to improve our flesh, He comes to take over and display His strength through our weaknesses. The Christian life isn’t an upgrade it’s a transformation. Its a New Creation. It’s only a changed life because it is an exchanged life. Don’t be stunned that you are capable of the same old thought and actions. That will be true until you get your new body. Here is the amazing thing though; God uses the ever present weakness of our flesh as a constant reminder, and motivator to live every moment utterly,and completely dependent on Him. The presence of the flesh keeps us at the table, because we know our need. My spiritual Father used to say about living the Christian life, “You can’t, and He never said you could, but He can and He always said He would.” When I first gave my life to Christ I hated that I was so broken and needy; that I was so imperfect, but not anymore. Like Paul, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” I thank God that He left me with crippled feet. It keeps me at the table where I have life and life more abundantly. Have a great In Christ all you Mephibosheths living the Limitless Life at the table of the Lord.